Frequently Asked Questions
We know that planning your special day comes with a lot of moving parts — and just as many questions.
To help make the process as seamless as possible, we’ve compiled answers to the most common queries from couples just like you. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, our team is just a call or email away — we’re always happy to help.
Helpful hint: Looking for something specific? Press CTRL + F (Windows) or COMMAND + F (Mac) to quickly search this page.
Yes, Bracu Estate offers ample private parking for your wedding guests, conveniently located near both the Pavilion, Marquee and Bracu Restaurant. Guests are welcome to leave their vehicles overnight if needed; however, please note that Bracu Estate does not take responsibility for any vehicles left on the property. We strongly recommend pre-booking transport to ensure a smooth departure at the end of the evening. Parking is also available at each of our on-site accommodation options for those staying overnight.
Bracu Estate is wheelchair-friendly, with accessible facilities throughout the property. Designated wheelchair parking is available at both Bracu Restaurant and The Pavilion. If you require an allocated accessible parking space for guests, please let us know ahead of time so can arrange this.
The following spaces are fully wheelchair accessible:
Bracu Restaurant, The Pavilion, Garden Gazebo, The Marquee, Olive Garden & Fountain Pond Deck. The Olive Grove and The Velarium are also accessible with assistance.
We aim to provide venue access to you and your wedding vendors as early as possible on your wedding day. Exact timing can be confirmed with our events team closer to the date. Our team will take care of the pack down after your celebration concludes. Any personal items or belongings from your wedding vendors will be safely stored and available for collection the following day, by prior arrangement.
Absolutely! We understand pets are part of the family, and they’re more than welcome to be part of your special day at Bracu Estate. All pets must remain on a leash while on the property. If you’d like your furry friend to be part of the ceremony but not the reception, we recommend Fluffy Bums — one of our trusted vendors who offers a full pet chaperone service, including transport, care, and even content capture so your pet’s moments aren’t missed.
Yes, DJs and live bands are welcome at Bracu Estate. The Pavilion features a dedicated alcove area ideal for entertainment setups, complete with 3-phase power and multiple power points to support all necessary equipment. For weddings hosted at Bracu Restaurant (exclusive full venue hire only), DJs and bands are permitted. However, due to the intimate layout of the restaurant, smaller live bands are recommended for this space.
Yes, Bracu Estate offers a range of audio-visual options to support your wedding day. In the Pavilion, we provide an in-house sound system with an AUX connection, a cordless handheld microphone, and a 103” flat LED screen — perfect for speeches or visual presentations.
For ceremonies, we supply a portable Bluetooth speaker, along with both a lapel mic and a handheld mic. You’re welcome to connect your own device to play your chosen ceremony playlist.
If you’re wanting to turn the reception party up a notch, we recommend Stu & the team at HDAV - www.hdav.co.nz
Bracu Estate does not offer BYO options, as all food and beverage services are provided in-house. We offer a variety of carefully curated menu options, along with an extensive beverage list to suit a wide range of tastes and budgets. If there’s a particular drink you'd love to have on the day, just let us know in advance — our Events Team will do their best to source it through our suppliers.
We can accommodate life-threatening allergies, medically diagnosed coeliac (GF), pregnancy and religious dietary (Halal) requirements at no additional charge.A fee of $10-$25 per additional dietary request may apply depending on a bespoke preference and its complexity.
Please note: There will be a cut-off date for submitting dietary requests, which your wedding coordinator will confirm. Unfortunately, we’re unable to make on-the-spot changes to meals on the day — so it’s important that any special requirements are communicated early to ensure we can look after everyone properly.
We offer menu tastings to all confirmed wedding couples, giving you the opportunity to experience the quality and style of your chosen menu ahead of your big day. Tastings are hosted as small group sessions, designed to showcase our seasonal offering.
Bracu Pavilion Buffet Menu Tasting
$150 per couple | Includes your choice of two mains, chef’s choice of side dishes & five mini desserts to share.
Bracu Pavilion À La Carte Three-Course Menu Tasting
$199.80 per couple | Includes your choice of two entrees, two mains & two desserts to share.
$220.00 per couple | Includes your choice of two entrees, three mains & two desserts to share.
Bracu Restaurant Weddings
We currently do not offer a formal tasting for weddings held at Bracu Restaurant. However, couples are more than welcome to dine at the restaurant and explore our seasonal à la carte menu to get a sense of the kitchen’s style and flavours.
Absolutely. On your wedding day, members of our dedicated wedding team and experienced events team will be on-site to ensure everything runs seamlessly.
Your assigned Wedding Coordinator (Holly) will be present from the start of setup to oversee all details — from décor placement to vendor arrivals — so you can relax and enjoy every moment of your special day.
Yes — with the exception of your cor food and beverage services (which are provided exclusively in-house), you are welcome to bring in your own wedding day vendors. We also offer a directory of trusted preferred partners — vendors we know and love — but you're not limited to using those on our list. We’ve welcomed a wide variety of creative professionals, from ice cream and gelato carts to cultural specialists like roti makers.If you’re unsure about a particular vendor or would like guidance, our team is more than happy to assist.
Bracu Estate offers three on-site houses available for accommodation. We recommend that the couple reserve these ahead of time, especially in our busy season.There are several nearby airbnbs, motels, and hotels we can recommend.
Yes, each house comes with an outside standard BBQ.
Please let us know in advance so we can ensure the gas bottle is filled and the utensils are on site.
We are commonly referred to as Bracu Estate or Bracu Olive Estate, so feel free to use either name when guiding your guests. Bracu Estate is a large property with multiple event spaces, so we recommend being specific when listing your ceremony location on invitations.
For example: "The Velarium at Bracu Estate" or "The Marquee at Bracu Olive Estate". This helps guests know exactly where to go — and what to ask for if they miss the signs or need assistance upon arrival. The main address for the estate is: 49 Main Road, Bombay, Auckland, 2675.
Guests are encouraged to arrive 15–30 minutes prior to the ceremony start time. This allows ample time for parking, making their way to the ceremony location, and being comfortably seated before proceedings begin.
Arriving significantly earlier is not recommended, as it can create unnecessary waiting time and may result in guests wandering into reception areas or approaching the bar before the event has officially commenced.
Please visit the Dress Codes section of our wedding portal for suggested wording to include on your invitations, depending on your style.
With the exception of food and beverages, you are welcome to use your own choice of wedding day suppliers. We have a list of preferred vendors that we have worked with time and time again if you need assistance.
If you haven’t found the answer to what you’re looking for please give our Events team a call or text and we’ll get an answer for you as soon as possible.